I have a bad feeling that he'll rush back with the news of Helm needing an MRI. That's two natural centers and one winger who plays very well at center down, so essentially three missing from the lineup. I'd feel much better if he went several days feeling good before he returns.

Announced tonight during Devils game that Datsyuk is confirmed to be back for Tuesday vs Florida.

"The leader must never close the gap between himself and the group. If he does, he is no longer what he must be. He must walk a tightrope between the consent he must win and the control he must exert."Vince Lombardi

When asked who won, Babcock said, “Well it doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t lose. It’s like going bear hunting, you take a slow guy with you in case the bear is hungry.”

There was one play, I think it was during the last game against the Lightning. Datsyuk and Kindl were close to each other just inside our blue line. Datsyuk had just about closed in on the coasting puck, Kindl was readying himself for the simple pass. Datsyuk slapped it with a backhand and it went sideways towards the boards, sort of still within Kindl's reach, but, really, not at all where you want to put the puck in that situation (it meant we couldn't run a clean regroup, a D-to-D mirror). I don't know if it was frustration. I don't know if it was carelessness. I just know it was extremely unlike Datsyuk and looked kind of like an eff-you to Kindl and maybe the team and maybe life in general.

He's been really off since coming back. It's probably a combination of lingering effects, all-around frustration, and "Sochi nerves." Also, I get the sense that he doesn't like the HBO dealy.

You wonder if a part of him is thinking, "I could have gone back home. I re-signed for this?"

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

Pav has certainly not been his usual self since coming back. I think he just realizes half the team is out with injury and our chances of winning are so slim, and the playoffs are so far away, that he just doesnt really care that much right now.

Just like anyone else at their job, you try your hardest when it really counts, and when it doesnt, you dont. Pav knows when to put the team on his back and win a game worth winning. He'll be fine when we need him to be.

Pav has certainly not been his usual self since coming back. I think he just realizes half the team is out with injury and our chances of winning are so slim, and the playoffs are so far away, that he just doesnt really care that much right now.

Just like anyone else at their job, you try your hardest when it really counts, and when it doesnt, you dont. Pav knows when to put the team on his back and win a game worth winning. He'll be fine when we need him to be.

That doesn't seem like Datsyuk. He plays hard regardless of the game. I think there are lingering effects from the concussion and maybe a little frustration. But I don't think he doesn't care.

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